A stroke of genius

NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING MANAGER

Geelong College’s rowing program is set for an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Andrew Richardson as the Director of Rowing, and Rowing legend, Brian Richardson, as Director of Coaching (Rowing).

After 23 years at Christian College teaching PE and as Head of Sport for the past nine years, Andrew is excited to come ‘home’ to Geelong College. For him, it is more than just a workplace; it is a connection that spans generations. His youngest children are in Years 10 and 12, and the elder two have recently graduated.

Andrew graduated in 1983 and has returned to his old school with a deep appreciation for the legacy left behind by his family. His mother, who was the College nurse for 18 years, and his grandfather, Vic Profitt, a renowned mathematics teacher here at the College, have strong ties to the institution.

Listening to stories about his grandfather’s teaching methods, including his remarkable aim with chalk dusters, brings a smile to his face. The legacy of dedication and excellence runs deep in his family.

Andrew brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to The Geelong College rowing program. He expressed his excitement for the engagement and dedication he has witnessed in the students.

“The senior crew members have shown remarkable commitment, impressing their coaches with their attitude and effort,” he said.

The prospect of a non-flooding river is a welcome relief, making the intense training sessions more manageable, and with over 180 students involved in the program, he has high hopes for the season ahead.

The dedication of Year 10 and 11 students, their enthusiasm, and their commitment to the sport have left Andrew in awe.

“I’ve been blown away by the work rate of our current Year 10 and 11 students and their enthusiasm for the season ahead, so I’m riding that wave at the moment and hoping that I can continue that positivity as the season unfolds.”

The younger students have also shown potential, getting the boats up and down the river with surprising proficiency. It’s evident that a strong foundation is being laid for the future, and we can’t wait to see these students represent the College at prestigious events like the Head of the River and Head of the Schoolgirls.

The Geelong College’s rowing program is no stranger to the concept of legacy. Graduates often return to contribute as coaches, maintaining a strong connection to the College. This seamless transition of alumni into coaching roles is a testament to the program’s quality and the lasting impact it has on its participants. The College is proud to have alumni who are not only successful but also committed to giving back to the program that shaped them.

“We love seeing College graduate rowers at the sheds and encourage anyone that is still rowing to drop past during training or into a regatta. If they see something that we can be doing better we want to know, if they would like to do an informal chat with the kids and talk about their journey in rowing that would be brilliant!”

The program’s key outcomes remain enjoyment and development, and Andrew has immense trust in the coaching team’s ability to inspire and develop the rowers. Trust that is only enhanced by the guidance of Brian Richardson, Rowing’s new Director of Coaching.

Andrew’s role is focused on the logistical aspects of the program and ensuring that everything runs smoothly off the water.

His first-season goals are clear: survival, understanding, and seeing more crews across all age groups make it to finals.

The big regattas, such as the Head of the River and Head of the Schoolgirls, are crucial milestones where he hopes to see our crews in finals. Ultimately, the success of his tenure will be measured by the Year 12 students graduating with a positive rowing experience and the current students returning for another season.

As our rowing program embarks on this new chapter under the leadership of Andrew and Brian Richardson (no they are not related), the legacy of dedication, commitment, and excellence will continue to inspire the next generation of rowers. With his vision and the support of The Geelong College community, the program is set to reach new heights in the coming years.

Brian Richardson, Director of Coaching (Rowing)

The College is excited to welcome rowing legend Brian Richardson to the Boat Shed for the upcoming season. Brian will be the Director of Coaching (Rowing) and will oversee our coaches and coaching strategies. An Olympic and World Championship Rower for Australia, Brian competed at the elite level for more than 15 years. He went on to be the Head Coach of the Australian, Danish and Canadian national teams. He coached eleven Victorian King's Cup crews and took seven of them to King's Cup victory, and twelve Australian crews to seven different World Championships winning one gold and one bronze medal. He also took crews to three Olympics. While he was Head Coach of Canada, Canadian crews won 65 medals at World Championships and Olympics. In 1983 Richardson was a crewman on Australia II, which contested and won the 1983 America's Cup. Richardson was a grinder in a crew skippered by John Bertrand which became the first ever successful America's Cup challenger and ended a 132-year tenure by the New York Yacht Club.

With his extensive experience in high performance rowing and rowers’ development, Brian will be an outstanding addition to our Rowing program and we are very fortunate to have a person of his calibre working with our students and coaches.